The dreaded kiddie reins....

....does anyone else use them?

In the last few days Maddie has gone from stringing together her shaky steps to walking everywhere and from today attempting what would at least be descirbed as a light jog. She doesn't like the stoller, shoves you if you try to carry her for too long, won't hold our hands and shows all the signs of being a runner. She really is little miss independent!

So we bought kiddie reins. I know that they are a practicality at least until she can learn not to run off. Still it felt funny walking through the mall and knowing people were glancing over. Even though we feel we are doing what is safest and most practical I almost felt like I should go up to everyone and justify ourselves!

Does anyone else use these? I am being paranoid or how have you found people's reactions?

Yeah we used some a few times with Hannah - and I think it was more me being paranoid about what people were thinking (or not!).

Ollie is the same. He tries to run off and then has a tantrum when I pick him up - very embarassing! Am tempted to get some but I am also paranoid about what people think!! Silly but I can't help it.
I think good on you. They are definitely safer.

We bought one of those Harness buddy ones which looks like a unicorn and my mum has used it on Alyssa a couple of times. She said people usually comment on how cute it looks rather than the actual purpose of it.



Edited by pepsi

Thanks Pepsi!!! I had no idea where to get those! I'm going to order one!

Good luck! Elle hates the reins, wrist ones and the standard ones that go around the torso.

She is older that Maddie though so I can explain to her that if she walks she stays by me and if she runs she goes back in the chair. It is not easy though! If she is too excited she either doesn't hear me or forgets what I say (or deliberately ignores me LOL).

I used them for Ella too.
I was really paranoid about what people would think about me having my child on a leash but I found it was actually about 30/70 with more positive comments than horrified looks.
What it came down to for me was that I was way more worried about her running off into the street or getting lost than I was about strangers disapproving of my choice and they really did make life so much easier when we were out and about.

I use the wrist strap with Joey, it is great!!

We used reins for Michaela and if anyone commented negatively on them I was fully prepared to give them an earful, although no one did **sigh**

I bought a set from baby factory which had anchor straps and I used a key ring to join one of the anchor straps to one end of the rein so it was like a bracelet. I’d then slip the ‘bracelet’ over my wrist so I was attached to Michaela but also hands free with no chance of the rein slipping out of my hand.

When I was 14 I was walking through Auckland with my 18mo cousin who I had on reins and lucky I did because as I stopped at a crossing he noticed a toy store across the road and tried to run across and very busy street. Because he wasn’t old enough to understand the danger the reins saved him.